Beaumont Golden Gators first baseman Pat Casey waits for a pickoff throw as Jackson Met Mark Carreon slides into the base. Casey is currently in his 18th season coaching the Oregon State baseball team with a 578-356-4 record. He has guided the Beavers to two national championships. less

Beaumont Golden Gators first baseman Pat Casey waits for a pickoff throw as Jackson Met Mark Carreon slides into the base. Casey is currently in his 18th season coaching the Oregon State baseball team with a ... more

Golden Gators second baseman Steve Garcia tags out Billy Beane, who was attempting to steal second base. Beane, the Oakland Athletics general manager who was the subject of the book and movie "Moneyball," played for the Jackson Mets from 1982-84. less

Golden Gators second baseman Steve Garcia tags out Billy Beane, who was attempting to steal second base. Beane, the Oakland Athletics general manager who was the subject of the book and movie "Moneyball," ... more

Sid Fernandez, who would go on to play for five major league teams, pitches for the San Antonio Dodgers against the Beaumont Golden Gators.

Sid Fernandez, who would go on to play for five major league teams, pitches for the San Antonio Dodgers against the Beaumont Golden Gators.

Photo: Enterprise File

Sid Fernandez, who would go on to play for five major league teams,...photo-3009337.137036 - |ucfirst

Golden Gators All Star John Kruk collects money from a fan after hitting the first homer in the All Star game at Dudley Field. Local tradition holds that when home team members homer, the fans reciprocate by giving dollars to the player. Kruk was the first no-El Paso player to collect money at Dudley Field. Kruk went on to have a successful major league career before becoming an analyst on ESPN. less

Golden Gators All Star John Kruk collects money from a fan after hitting the first homer in the All Star game at Dudley Field. Local tradition holds that when home team members homer, the fans reciprocate by ... more

Golden Gators reliever Mark Williamson throws during his fifth save for the Gators. Williamson went on to pitch for the Baltimore Orioles, where he combined with Bob Milacki, Mike Flanagan and Gregg Olson to throw a no-hitter against the Oakland Athletics on July 13, 1991. less

Golden Gators reliever Mark Williamson throws during his fifth save for the Gators. Williamson went on to pitch for the Baltimore Orioles, where he combined with Bob Milacki, Mike Flanagan and Gregg Olson to ... more

Mark Parent (21), who played with seven major league teams, congratulates Steve Garcia after Garcia's two-run homer.

Mark Parent (21), who played with seven major league teams, congratulates Steve Garcia after Garcia's two-run homer.

Photo: Enterprise File

Mark Parent (21), who played with seven major league teams,...photo-3009347.137036 - |ucfirst

Golden Gator Bo McLaughlin, who went on to pitch for three major league teams. He played for the Houston Astros from 1976-79. McLaughlin was hit in the face by a comebacker from Harold Baines in 1982, breaking his left cheekbone and eye socket. He never returned to the major leagues. less

Golden Gator Bo McLaughlin, who went on to pitch for three major league teams. He played for the Houston Astros from 1976-79. McLaughlin was hit in the face by a comebacker from Harold Baines in 1982, breaking ... more

Photo: Enterprise File

Golden Gator Bo McLaughlin, who went on to pitch for three major...photo-3009349.137036 - |ucfirst

Beaumont Golden Gator Eddie Miller bunts for a single in the third inning of a game. Miller played for four major league teams. His only major league home run came in his final at-bat in 1984 with the San Diego Padres. less

Beaumont Golden Gator Eddie Miller bunts for a single in the third inning of a game. Miller played for four major league teams. His only major league home run came in his final at-bat in 1984 with the San Diego ... more

Photo: Enterprise File

Beaumont Golden Gator Eddie Miller bunts for a single in the third...photo-3009363.137036 - |ucfirst

Three Golden Gators, from left, Steve Garcia, Steve Schefsky and James Steele retrieve Dugout, the Gators' adopted mascot, from the field before a game.

Three Golden Gators, from left, Steve Garcia, Steve Schefsky and James Steele retrieve Dugout, the Gators' adopted mascot, from the field before a game.

Beaumont Golden Gator Steve Johnson slides toward Jackson Met Steve Springer. Johnson never made it past Doubld-A. The position player once pitched two inning in one game for the Gators, giving up six earned runs. less

Beaumont Golden Gator Steve Johnson slides toward Jackson Met Steve Springer. Johnson never made it past Doubld-A. The position player once pitched two inning in one game for the Gators, giving up six earned ... more

Golden Gators manager Jack Maloof fills out his lineup card. Since coaching in Beaumont, Maloof was minor league hitting coordinator for the Florida Marlins and Atlanta Braves. Currently he's a special assistant to player development for the Kansas City Royals. less

Golden Gators manager Jack Maloof fills out his lineup card. Since coaching in Beaumont, Maloof was minor league hitting coordinator for the Florida Marlins and Atlanta Braves. Currently he's a special ... more

Golden Gator Al Newman attempts to turn the double play as Mark Wasinger looks on. Newman was a two-time World Series winner with the Minnesota Twins and longtime friend of Kirby Puckett. He currently lives in Savage, Minn. less

Golden Gator Al Newman attempts to turn the double play as Mark Wasinger looks on. Newman was a two-time World Series winner with the Minnesota Twins and longtime friend of Kirby Puckett. He currently lives in ... more

Golden Gators rightfielder Mark Gillaspie throws his bat to the dugout in disgust after an intentional walk. Gillaspie never reached the major leagues and is now a police officer in Omaha, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. His son, Conor Gillaspie, is a third baseman for the San Francisco Giants. less

Golden Gators rightfielder Mark Gillaspie throws his bat to the dugout in disgust after an intentional walk. Gillaspie never reached the major leagues and is now a police officer in Omaha, according to the San ... more

Two unnamed Golden Gators sit in the dugout.photo-3009387.137036 - |ucfirst

Golden Gators Dan Purpura, center, leaps in the air while Al Newman, left watches and an opponent does a faceplant on the basepaths.

Golden Gators Dan Purpura, center, leaps in the air while Al Newman, left watches and an opponent does a faceplant on the basepaths.

Photo: Enterprise File

Golden Gators Dan Purpura, center, leaps in the air while Al...photo-3009388.137036 - |ucfirst

Beaumont Golden Gators infielder Mark Wasinger tries to catch a wild throw in an All-Star game as Arkansas' Curt Ford watches. Wasinger made it to the major leagues and played for both the San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants. less

Beaumont Golden Gators infielder Mark Wasinger tries to catch a wild throw in an All-Star game as Arkansas' Curt Ford watches. Wasinger made it to the major leagues and played for both the San Diego Padres and ... more

Three Golden Girls candidates perform for the judges during try-outs at Parkdale Mall. Twelve women were selected to be in the troupe that would entertain fans from atop the Golden Gators' dugout and on the field between innings. Photo published Feb. 6, 1983

Three Golden Girls candidates perform for the judges during try-outs at Parkdale Mall. Twelve women were selected to be in the troupe that would entertain fans from atop the Golden Gators' dugout and on the